One Stone is beginning to explore the possibility of opening an innovative public charter school. This step would allow us to expand access, return to a tuition-free model, and build on our student-driven approach, while continuing the core experience that defines One Stone.

This direction is grounded in our mission, vision, and values—and was unanimously supported by the One Stone Board, reflecting strong alignment from student leadership.

One Stone was originally founded in 2008 as an afterschool program that was accessible to every high school student in the Treasure Valley. The One Stone Lab School opened in 2016 as a tuition-free model designed to expand access to innovative education. Becoming a public charter school would allow us to return to that vision and remove financial barriers, while serving more students across Idaho.

Opening a charter school is a path One Stone has explored before as part of our long-term vision to expand access to innovative, student-driven education.

Recent changes in Idaho’s education landscape have created a more viable opportunity to pursue a public charter model in a way that aligns with our mission. At the same time, we’ve reached a point in our growth where we’re ready to take what we’ve learned and make it accessible to more students.

This step would allow us to return to our roots as a tuition-free model that build a more sustainable future for One Stone while expanding the impact of this work across Idaho.

No. This is only the beginning of a multi-month process, and community input will play an important role in shaping what comes next.

If approved, the charter school could open as soon as the 2027-2028 school year with an expected decision to be made by January 2027.

An Idaho public charter school is a tuition-free, publicly funded school that operates with greater flexibility, serving a diverse group of students from its community who choose to enroll through an equitable selection process. Idaho public charter schools are approved by the Idaho Charter Commission.

One Stone is continually evolving with the needs of our current students and the world. Should we become a charter school, we would likely make the following changes in consult with our students, coaches, and partners:

• A new organization structure and name - As part of this transition, One Stone Lab School would close, and a new public charter school with a new name would open. This reflects both the shift to a public model and the opportunity to expand access to more students.

• A lottery-based admissions process - Enrollment would move to a public charter lottery system. This may make admission more competitive while also expanding access to a broader range of students. Preference can be given to factors such as currently enrolled students, siblings, geography, and other priorities aligned with our mission.

• Standardized Testing - Students would participate in Idaho standardized testing as part of public charter requirements. One Stone currently administers the PSAT and One Stone students consistently outperform Idaho and the national averages.

• Expanded student support services - As a public charter school, One Stone would offer a formal Special Education (SPED) program to support a wider range of learners.

• Educator certification pathways - Our coaches (teachers) would have pathways to certification, including options aligned with the One Stone model.

• Accreditation - In the process of pursuing the public charter school, One Stone would become fully accredited.

At its core, One Stone is always changing. If One Stone opens a charter school, it would simply be our next iteration. However, nothing about One Stone would change in a way that didn’t align with the organization’s mission, vision, values or the innovative student experience. This transition would simply allow us to continue to adapt to the needs of our students and to a rapidly changing world, while expanding access and strengthening how we deliver on our mission. Especially: 

• Our student-driven model - Students would continue to lead their learning through real-world projects, collaboration, and purpose-driven work.

• One Stone’s Growth Framework - One Stone would continue to use the BLOB (Bold Learning Objectives) and the Growth Transcript to measure growth over time and would not use letter grades or grade point averages.

• The role of coaches - Coaches would remain mentors, guides, and collaborators in each student’s journey—not traditional lecturers or teachers.

• Intentional learning environments - One Stone would continue to prioritize strong relationships, individualized support, and a close-knit community.

• Focus on passion, purpose, and real-world readiness - Our commitment to helping students learn to become passionate, discover their purpose, build relevant skills, and prepare for life beyond high school remains at the center of everything we do.

• Core values and culture - The values that shape the One Stone experience including empathy, autonomy, creativity, and student voice would remain foundational.

No. As we explore the charter school possibility, there are no planned or related changes for the upcoming school year including tuition, programming, or the student experience.

No immediate changes will impact current students. Their day-to-day experience will remain the same.

If the charter is approved, current students will receive the highest priority in any future enrollment process.

Transitioning to a public charter model requires a new organizational structure. The closure of the Lab School would reflect this shift and allows us to build a model designed for broader public access.

Yes. While some organizational structures may evolve, the heart of One Stone will remain intact. This includes how students learn, how coaches support them, and the culture of the community.

Possibly. A lottery-based system may increase competition for available seats, especially as demand grows in a tuition-free model. At the same time, it creates more equitable access for a broader range of students. Preference can be given to factors such as currently enrolled students, siblings, geography, and other priorities aligned with our mission.

The One Stone experience remains fully intact today, with intentionally small enrollment and personalized learning.

Because current students would receive the highest priority in the lottery process, enrolling in the 2026-2027 school year may provide the most direct path into the charter school.

Bluum is an Idaho-based nonprofit that supports the development of high-quality public charter schools.

One Stone is partnering with Bluum as part of this process, and Executive Director Celeste Bolin has been selected for Bluum’s School Fellowship, a year-long program that provides expertise and support to help ensure a strong and sustainable charter school model.

Celeste will continue in her role as Executive Director of One Stone.

The Bluum Fellowship is designed to directly support this work. Bluum provides Celeste with dedicated time, resources, and expertise to help One Stone develop a strong charter school model. Her participation is closely aligned with One Stone’s priorities and will strengthen, not distract from, this effort.

This process is collaborative, and we want to hear from you.

• Register for a Virtual Town Hall (April 9) - We will host a Town Hall for current families to share more details, answer questions, and begin the conversation.

• Listening + input sessions (Spring & Summer) - We’ll host a series of smaller sessions to gather feedback, ideas, and perspectives from students, families, and the broader community.

• Ongoing communication - We are committed to keeping our community informed at every step, with regular updates and opportunities to engage throughout the process.

Your input will help shape how this evolves.

• FAQs will be updated as the process continues 

• Community conversations and feedback opportunities

• Continued planning and charter development

• Partnership work with Bluum

• Charter application submission in September 2026

• Final determination expected January 2027